NHL free agency begins

The doors to a decidedly shallow 2010 free agent market just opened. Nothing to report yet, obviously. But you can check out my story in today's Post here and owner Ted Leonsis's comments about his team's potentially conservative plans here.

I'll post an update on any Caps-related moves/signings as soon as I get 'em. In the meantime, feel free to chat away in the comments section below.

AV for 4 yrs at $4.5/yr
Michalek for 4 years at $3.25/yr
Mitchell for 3 to 4 years at $3.5/yr

No other UFA is worth going after accoridng to you. So those are the guys.

We can now use this as a reference point for future conversation. If AV signs a contract with another team for 4 yrs at $4.25/yr you have full reign to criticize GMGM. If another GM gives AV a contract for 5 yrs at $5.2M/yr you cannot criticize GMGM because you have stated at the start of the free agent period that that would be a bad deal.

SGM3 - I'm not saying it's a good or bad deal. My point was the Rangers flat couldn't score last yr outside of Gaborik and they already have Lundy in nets, why in the world would your priority be in a backup goalie and not address scoring?

AV for 4 yrs at $4.5/yr
Michalek for 4 years at $3.25/yr
Mitchell for 3 to 4 years at $3.5/yr

No other UFA is worth going after accoridng to you. So those are the guys.

We can now use this as a reference point for future conversation. If AV signs a contract with another team for 4 yrs at $4.25/yr you have full reign to criticize GMGM. If another GM gives AV a contract for 5 yrs at $5.2M/yr you cannot criticize GMGM because you have stated at the start of the free agent period that that would be a bad deal.
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now you do realize that I allowed you to paint me into a corner right? even though the parameters are a tad unfair because there are so many other variables at play here. But based on what you wrote above yes I agree that if another GM gives AV a contract at or above 5.25 that it is too much and not fair to criticize GM for this specific thing. However, I never said that NO OTHER UFAs are worth pursuing. There are a few out there that I would like to see on the Caps. But based on what this team needs, the priority of pursuing those FAs is what I outlined in my initial response to you. If I don't get those guys then there are other options out there I like. And not just for the C or D positions either. But other tweaks.

first good news i've heard about who the Caps are interested in in about 13 yrs. Ladd is a legitimate nhl body on the wing and he's a heckuva lot more consistent using his body to win puck battles than a Chimera. If we get Ladd, that gives us a better look on our top 2 lines if thats where they slot him in. And a better body on the wing on the PP too.

The Rangers absolutely have to address all the points you mention but the Biron signing won't prevent that. He signed for $800k/yr. Every team has to have a backup goalie and you aren't going to find many much cheaper than that.

This came from Darren Dreager:

"Lots of Regehr rumours. Regehr has a no-move and hasn't yet been asked to waive."

the Caps as a team on the ice are the exact opposite of the front office of the team... the team on the ice is all about taking risks and playing the high risk/high reward system while the front office is anything BUT taking risks. Unless those two units become more in sync with each other, meaning the on-ice product becomes more conservative while the front office becomes more willing to take risks, I don't see this team doing much in the playoffs.

also you don't hear the owners or GMs of the top teams in any sport say anything other than we're gonna try to win it every year. they do NOT say we're gonna try to win it but... if you hear Leonsis or GMGM talk there's always a BUT. if that's not a sign that they don't want it as badly as some of you think they do, some of you are just blind.

also you don't hear the owners or GMs of the top teams in any sport say anything other than we're gonna try to win it every year. they do NOT say we're gonna try to win it but... if you hear Leonsis or GMGM talk there's always a BUT. if that's not a sign that they don't want it as badly as some of you think they do, some of you are just blind.

My game was just to put you in GMGM's chair this morning, heading to free agency. So you would be in the same corner any new GM would be if they joined the Caps yesterday. This game was only meant to be done to be able to criticize free agent signings. Nothing else. Not overall performance or anything, just the free agent moves made this offseason.

Yes, trades can be made but it is too hard because so much speculation is dependent on the other team accepting trade proposals and that is hard to guess.

Would LA take Green and Semin for Drew Doughty? If I am GMGM I make that trade in half a second

Posted by: mireskan | July 1, 2010 12:47 PM

Either is worth Doughty by themselves. I'm glad you're not GM

No way LA makes that trade for either one straight up. Losing the salary of those two will allow Caps to sign Volchenkov and get Doughty. So that trade in essence becomes Green and Semin for Doughty and Volchenkov.

UPDATE: Dallas Dave reports the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes are in on Volchenkov. If you'll remember, there was a rumor the Caps would offer Volchenkov $5 million, but they denied it. Perhaps they were just posturing. Oh, and Dallas Dave appears to have broken the Gonchar news, so he might be a source worth keeping an eye on.

@cstanton:
hmmmm, no so sure anymore... I thought Mitchell was more physical (hits) AND better defensively (blocked shots, punishing players in front).

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if you haven't watched him play, then take my word for it. He gets the job done. And no defenseman we currently have can make the type of open ice hits Mitchell has made in his career. He's not the A-Train but he's capable of delivering punishing hits and his forte is to get under the skin of top line players. He's an effective presence on the ice. Sometimes you look beyond the stats. Trust me, I'd never defend Mitchell if he was a softie.

I actually read an article last night that was stated that Dallas Dave was a very credible source who is often the first to release news about trades and such. I found it funny because I never heard of him earlier and his name is unexpected for a hockey insider.

well if we get ladd i sure hope we don't have to give up our 2 best checking line prospects in Hershey in AG and SP. When we got Fedorov we gave up Ted Ruth, our only real pseudo-rugged defensive dman prospect at the time

I'd like to see AG and SP's work on the bottom 2 lines this year. We need that energy boost and good all-around play.

Actually, I thought he looked pretty good in the playoffs this year. I watch a lot of Kings hockey, and he has definetely lost some of his speed and skill, but he'll still block a shot or get physical when needed.

You're right though, he may be a little too old to fit in with the Caps.

You're right though, he may be a little too old to fit in with the Caps.

Posted by: richmondphil | July 1, 2010 1:08 PM | Report abuse

not only that, kinda like the Scott Walker deal you know the Caps really don't see an O'Donnell type as being necessary to give decent minutes too. Even if he was younger and we ended up inheriting him somehow, he'd have a hard time cracking Boudreau's top 6. The O'Donnell types fit closer to Boston's system/philosophy than they do the Caps.

Like I said yesterday if the Caps do something on D it will be for Kurtis Foster or Willie Mitchell. Only way they do something bigger is if Semin is traded to Calgary for Regehr and Langkow or something along those lines. They are focusing on the Center position. Koivu or Modano will be here in about an hour.

I don't know why so many people felt like he was going to sign for less than what he got. He's entering the prime of his career, and is now locked in Pitts. for the next 5 years; the prime years of one's career. He's a great two-way defender with a lot of heart.

It's like when people on here kept telling me Pleks would sign for way less than he did. No way, these guys are entering their prime. These are their big contracts right here.

Yeah, but I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to be an expert here. I've gotten extensions and such wrong before, I just was always baffled at why, for so long, people thought we could afford Plekanecs comfortably.

Michalek @ 4 mil/yr is a steal to me. You got a great defender with a ton of heart locked in his best years for the next 5 years. 3 mil/yr, etc is just low-balling it. He's a two-way guy as well, much more offensive upside than AV.

The Pens signed Michalek to a much larger contract than you thought was the max.

Your max was 4 year for $3.25M/yr

Pitt signed him for 5 years for $4M/yr
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actually i don't think thats bad in hindsight considering that he has youth on his side. If he was on the other side of 30, it would a very questionable move. I'm not trying to backpedal here but 5 yrs/20 mill is not a bad contract to offer a Michalek. He's a top 4 guy and you've tied him up for 5 yrs in his prime.

Only way they do something bigger is if Semin is traded to Calgary for Regehr and Langkow
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don't see that happening. I like both those players but neither one (esp Langkow) fits in with how the Caps think. They're not going to sign a FA center for their 2nd line unless he's highly skilled which Langkow is not. He gets the job done in other ways but he's not one of those no-look passing guys. And he suffered a bad neck injury last yr and he's already 34. Great player in his prime, loved what he brought to the table but not exactly something the Caps would covet.

Steven Hindle has a very good breakdown of the reasoning behind Montreal's decision to keep Price and let Halak go, definitely worth a read as it bring a lot of angles of the trade into perspective and also gives info on the other players involved in the deal:

Michalek was a much more offensively instinctive guy before, but PHX molded him a different way. Look at his stats in the Q. Given the chance to excel in the offensive side of things, he'll do fine. Plus, him and Letang, and Goligoski to an extent, can all share the load of providing that much needed weapon from the back end.

He's not mean and nasty like Anton, but he blocks a ton of shots, while also being pretty mobile.

jody shelley actually played well last year and the Rags were trying to bring him back.

Damn Flyers. Their fans are so lucky. I don't think as long as McPhee is GM that the Caps will ever bring on a 4th line tough guy type ever again. Those days are gone. We are now officially in Detroit territory. And heck even they briefly brought on Brad May last yr.

The two main competitors in the East Philly and Pittsburgh get it. To beat us they need to bolster their Defense and they have gone out and done it, yet we just sit around and think we are good enough.

WOW, the Pens have now got to be the odds on favorites in the East. I expect our offense move will be to sign Guerin. I cannot F'ing believe the Caps management is so F'ing inept.

Posted by: doughless | July 1, 2010 2:32 PM | Report abuse

Favorites for what? Top seed in the playoffs or a trip to the SCF? Before today we weren't the favorites to go the SCF and still aren't. And who cares who the regular season favorite is. Any Caps fan who thinks that means jack didn't learn much this spring

No, I don't think he (varly) is at this time. He might be, but needs to prove it. I am on record as saying it could be disastrous to go with what we have. Again, opinion.

Whether Price is over a year(Oh my God!) younger or not, he hasn't proven to be stable. They are betting a lot on him with a skimpy track record - as are we for the record. I am of the camp that wants stability, age and experience at goalie. I just think Halak gave them more of that than Price did. Especially to bring in Auld as the next option so cheaply.

why do people have to be so trival. given the moves they are making, if you don't think the Pens are positioned well to be the best in the east in the regular season, and make a deep run for the cup then i don't understand where you are coming from.

Matt Bradley better learn to score some more goals. Otherwise he's going to have to learn to be our resident enforcer

And guys like Pinizotto better keep their head on a swivel because if he throws one his AHL type hits in the NHL against some of these teams, he'll get his head taken off with no Capital players around to save him.

My problem with GMGM's strategy this offseason is that he's putting so much faith in these young kids playing well and playing consistently, which obviously isn't a guarantee. Windows to win championships close quickly in today's NHL, so if you the opportunity to sign proven players to create good depth down the middle and on the blue line, you have to do it, I think. And what about last season tells GMGM that he has the players to win a Stanley Cup. The playoffs are decidedly not the same as the regular season, which he must've noticed the last three years.

DUDE, the Caps ARE NOT the Wings. geez, where did all of the silliness come from. Richmond, i am not sure i see the Caps making deals for those guys, either. my point was that the management has made NO move (or even rumored to) to improve the team.

Flyers are gonna have to make some trades to offset all the salary they've added. They must have something going, otherwise they wouldn't have made those moves, even with the 10% exception. Anyone you guys would be willing to take on? Carter? Hartnell? Carcillo?

Haven't posted, but have been reading all day. I'll be honest, I don't have the knowledge you guys have on the specific players and their skills because I just don't have the time to watch other teams much, so I respect y'alls knowledge and don't put forth an uninformed opinion.

However, speaking in generalities, I have to say I'm not worried. Washington sports fans of all people should know not to get excited about winning the offseason wars (see D. Snyder). Let Pitt have their fun today. Someone made a really good point yesterday that it's not necessarily a bad thing to roll with what we got for the most part until the trade deadline and then find a couple of useful rentals. What about today changed that as being a viable strategy?

Is that too much for Boogey? Depends on how the Rags plan to use him. I'm guessing the plan is to give him 10+ shifts per game. He's a very smart enforcer who can use his body very effectively. He changed the tones of many games for the Wild with his timely hitting and bulling. He even drew penalties from teams who were frustrated with his crushing hits. Much better option than Brashear. And with Prust AND Boogey, the Rags are able to match upto the Flyers physicality fairly evenly. Can't wait to see Prust go it with Carcillo while the two heavies tangle

They had the money, but they no longer have much of any space. I think they have the least amount of space in the league right now, actually. But their roster has 21 players on it, so they could be done. Minus some tweaking.

Haven't posted, but have been reading all day. I'll be honest, I don't have the knowledge you guys have on the specific players and their skills because I just don't have the time to watch other teams much, so I respect y'alls knowledge and don't put forth an uninformed opinion.

However, speaking in generalities, I have to say I'm not worried. Washington sports fans of all people should know not to get excited about winning the offseason wars (see D. Snyder). Let Pitt have their fun today. Someone made a really good point yesterday that it's not necessarily a bad thing to roll with what we got for the most part until the trade deadline and then find a couple of useful rentals. What about today changed that as being a viable strategy?

Posted by: JS26121820

Terrible. The Penguins just passed us by a mile. The Flyers were past us, they are better. The Bruins, the Leafs, the Lightning, all better.

Now, I like Boogey, but I think even cstanton can admit that's too much for him.

Posted by: richmondphil | July 1, 2010 2:47 PM

Makes sense as Boogey and Gaborik are former teammates, and it's in the Rags best interests to make sure there isn't a repeat of the Carcillo/Gaborik incident. And, no, not trying to get into the enforcer debate right now.

@cstanton1: You are insane. He is not typical shutdown, but better than anyone we have. Tremendous mean streak. Him and Michalek are tremendous signings. and it appears the Pens will do what we should be doing, giving some of the young guys a chance at this level. WHO CARES ABOUT CALDER CUPS, if those guys never come up!

Are we really talking about the Bruins and Rangers being somehow vastly improved? They're good, but they don't worry me as much as Pittsburgh, which still has a shortage of talent at the wing positions, and Philly, which is still questionable in goal. I would say Philly and Pitt may've passed the Caps, but the Rangers and Bruins haven't, in my mind.

Leafs have really improved upfront. This is sort of a return to old time hockey. With Atlanta, Tampa and Toronto muscling up the last 2 yrs and now the Rangers and Flyers continuing their usual trends, the East should be a black n blue conference. The Bruins aren't slouchy in that dept either and the Pens can always hang in there physically with any team.

They had pathetic skill on the wings last year and now have lost Guerrin (assuming he does not return).

Remember they have lost Gonchar as well, who is considered better than either Martin or Michalek. They are also losing Jordan Leopold and Mark Eaton.

So from last year they lose Eaton, Leopold, Gonchar and Guerrin and gain Michalek and Martin. Their wings are even weaker and their defense in not that much than last years. Martin is good but considered worse than Gonchar. Michalek is good but how much better is he than Leopold and Eaton? Pens will have to get a cheap D man to replace one of those two players.

I guess GMGM wasn't bluffing about not making moves.......They lost in the 1st round. I don't care what their regular season record was, when it counted most, all but a few guys folded their hands. I don't want to see the same team again next year! And I'm not saying we need to make a bunch of moves, but I think they may be playing it a bit too conservative.

sure, if they project him to take on more of a role with their team. If you paid attention to what he did for the Wild last year, you'd see what an impact he could have. Part of it is Sather likes those guys, but part of it may be that he may get more ice time. Remember that Brash was pulling down a million, and Boogey is a much better option so another.65mil/season may not be outlandish.

They had pathetic skill on the wings last year and now have lost Guerrin (assuming he does not return).

Remember they have lost Gonchar as well, who is considered better than either Martin or Michalek. They are also losing Jordan Leopold and Mark Eaton.

So from last year they lose Eaton, Leopold, Gonchar and Guerrin and gain Michalek and Martin. Their wings are even weaker and their defense in not that much than last years. Martin is good but considered worse than Gonchar. Michalek is good but how much better is he than Leopold and Eaton? Pens will have to get a cheap D man to replace one of those two players.

Posted by: sgm3

The Pens are MUCH better on D now then they were last year. You are rationalizing. There is no argument to be made.

Yea, the pens improved on the blueline, but they didnt make the type of moves that makes them seem unstopable. Everyone needs to stop suggesting that they are some juggernaut now. They atill have the same issue as last year. No finishers on the wings. I appreciate the fact that their defense just got better, but who the hell is going to play with Crosby and Malkin?

Pens have 6 defenders on their roster currently, if you include Lovejoy
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are you including Engelland in that mix too? I think he'll see some ice time this season with the Pens as their "Erskine" type. I know they recently re-signed him.
Loved what he did in Hershey and was hoping we'd give him a chance. He played briefly last yr with the Pens and looked very serviceable. Just a big hitter with a big body and incredibly strong. I have never seen Engelland get controlled physically by any player. He's got that Gary Nylund type of physique.

The Boogard signing reminds me of the Rangers Brasher signing last year. So good that they bought him out the following year. The Rangers need goal scoring, they haven't improved that at all. They do not have a #1 center and have not re-signed Staal, but they have tied up $1.65M/yr in a guy who play less than 6 minutes a game, so a guy who is worthless in the playoffs.

With Jeff Carter repeatedly being the subject of trade rumors, would anyone here be in favor of taking on his $5 million salary in what might end up as a rental situation? We do need a 2nd line center.

sgm3: Pens D is much much better (on paper) right now then last year. Don't know how much hockey you watch, but those two were in the top 5 d free agents. They will bring up Eric Tangradi and probably Mark Letestu and D man Ben Lovejoy. Trust me, they are going to be much tougher this year, supposing Fleury doesn't falter again.

Yes the Pens added two defenders. One good in Michalek and one very good in Martin, but the Pens LOST one extremely good defender in Gonchar(rated higher by every hockey analyst). So net, that means they lose out on the Martin for Gonchar trade and gain on the Michalek for Eaton and Leopold trade.

The other defenders mentioned as fillers are fill ins. They have also become worse at wing.

I'm just analyzing their situation. This is not a comparison to the Caps or anybody, just an overall analysis.

Sad to say but yes the Pens have definately upgraded their D. We're upgrading our D just by Carlson and Alzner being in the mix. It would be nice however to add 1 of the remaining big Dmen out there. Mitchell, Atrain or Hamhuis would be a nice upgrade. Then see where we're at when the deadline comes around.

I'm not sure if it's just my bad memory, but I don't remember this place having so much irrationality in the past. We have a really good team. Sure, there are a few tweaks we could use, but there are still plenty of players out there. Plus, it's not like we really need the help until the playoffs.

Just calm down, people. Or better yet, overreact even more by jumping off a bridge, so that we don't have to deal with you anymore.

Why did we not jump on a d-man yet? If GMGM thinks Alzner is better than the two signed, we are in trouble.

Posted by: stop_it |

Actually, I think the reasoning is Alzner and Carlsson don't need to be better than any free agents. They need to be better that the two D-men they replace. Therefore, an upgrade in place. If the thinking is "we were only a little bit short" then an upgrade in place would seem to have a chance for real improvement.

If the Rags decide to throw care to the wind and allow their enforcer to actually enforce, instead of just participating in staged fights, then it'll make the contract look a lot better. But, we are talking about Sather here, not the best when it comes to making reasoned decisions on salary (see: Gomez, Scott), so it does seem he overpaid to get Boogey. Of course, we don't know who else was bidding to push it that high. There had been a rumor last year that McPhee had tried to obtain Boogey (seriously).

Leafs? EGADS! Don't be surprised if Boston will have another lottery pick.
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i expect the Leafs to challenge for the playoffs. They haven't just added toughness, they've added guys who can actually play. They may not be overloaded on skill but they don't need to be with the kind of team they're going for. And if that draft pick from last yr Kadri can make the team they should have a competitive roster. Last yr their maligned defense started playing a lot better towards the end of the year.

so it does seem he overpaid to get Boogey
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its called Free Agency. Everyone has to overpay a bit to get their man. Would a contract of 1.25 million make it "reasonable" ? Whats the cutoff #, because Brash was makin 1 mil/season for us and he sucked.

One thing to take out of this: The Pens have really committed themselves financially over the next 4 years. They have little to no flexibility for the foreseeable future. They will be able to make very few if any tweaks come the trade deadline if things dont pan out like they are expecting.

1.65 for a one-dimensional enforcer is too much. You can try to spin it any way you want, unless his role is expanded and his ice-time goes up, that contract just looks absurd. Sather or not.

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who's spinning? I'm telling you that based on what Boogey showed last year, he already proved he was more than onedimensional. A 4th line tough who just stands around and fights someone off the faceoff is one-dimensional. Boogey played agitator, he played big hitter, he played dominant fighter, he stuck his body in front of the net on draws deep in the defensive zone for a scripted play - that to me is not one-dimensional. And based on what we paid Brash 2 yrs ago, another .65 mil per season is by no means outlandish.

if he only gets 3 shifts per game then of course its a bad move. I doubt very much though that they signed him with that intent. He proved he can skate and get in on the forecheck and punish dmen, and is his primary role. The actual fighting may not even occur that much. But his presence in the lineup is by itself a great deterrent. And he can beat up all the Philly tough guys with one hand behind his back so thats a good bonus. And he's not exactly old either. The salary is acceptable. Youre not getting a guy lke him in FA for something like 800k/yr.

I like what Boogey brings, but NY did the same thing with Brash last year. I understand Boogey brings more talent, but NY has already showed a tendency to pay incredible amounts of money for an enforcer. The New York Rangers do not have enough talent on that roster to be spending so lavishly on a 4th line guy. Thats why they will continue to be hanging around 7th/8th place.

I don't think the Leafs need to be a contender to show significant progress from the pre-Brian Burke days.

They already showed a competitive edge last yr after their initial bumps with all their personnel changes. This year they need to be a playoff contender, nothing more. This really is the start of year 2 of their massive rebuild. And say what you will about Phaneuf and how overrated he is, he brought a real presence to that blueline after the trade.

First, the Caps only had $4.5M of cap room so how were they going to sign Paul Martin who essentially replaced Gonchar. They also had never replaced Gil or Scuderi from the prior year which was another reason they had a lot of cap space. The Caps are more likely to make a trade for a tough stay at home defenseman than sign one via free agency. Let's be patient and see what happens over the summer before we crucify GMGM. He may very well be negotiating with other players as we blog.

The other part about losing/missing out on trades is this. Say things are hot and heavy for Volchenkov. Do you make a run at Hamuis or Martin to CYA just in case? What if they say yes? Do you say hold on until Anton calls us back? Or do you say sign here and ruin it for AV (Then find out he signed for your offer somewhere else because you walked. and you get roasted as a GM in the public eye). If you're sure things will work out, you let them go. We will NEVER know what happens during negotiations.

-Trade a 1st rounder, Lombardi and Prust for Jokinen.
-Sucks in Calgary, but Sutter still re-signs him.
-Continues to suck..Sutter trades him and Prust for Higgens and Kotalik!
-Sutter buys out Kotalik, instead of not trading for him and letting Jokinen hit free agency. (Thus, preventing a buyout)

Cstanton - you know the funny thing about it is, you said nobody has ever taken less money to play here. You were proven wrong with 2 recent signings in Knuble and BMo so just like a little girl you go and blow it all out of proportion. Nobody ever said "every" NHL player would take less money to come here. Another thing did you watch the press conf when Backstrom signed? The very 1st question lobbed at him was "Was the fact of you being able to play with Alex for the next 10yrs the reason for the home town discount". He first declined to answer the question but when it was asked again in a different format he said that playing with OV for 10yrs was a factor.

The fact of the matter is there are a lot of players in this league where the Caps would be on the "short list" to play for. It never used to be that way so it's very new for us but it's true now.

Wow so Whitney goes to Phoenix! I guess they can pull some talent in. I'm not coming from the perspective that we needed him or we lost in this case. I'm just glad to see them be able to pull some talent in to maybe build on the great season they had vs. just tankin it now.

"Ah, it wouldn't be free agency if the Rangers didn't inexplicably blow their brains out and so we give you Derek Boogaard and his four-year deal worth $1.65 million annually. Ha, ha, ha. Worst contract of the day by a country mile. And the day's only half over. Take a bow Glen Sather, your reputation remains in tact. "

1. as long as a player produces on the ice, overpaying ain't the worst thing a GM can do. everyone overpays in FA but doesn't mean you can stay out of it and expect to compete because you don't wanna overpay.

2. after the current TV contract expires at the end of 2010-2011, the TV money will probably go up significantly jugging by the increase in the ratings so they can afford to overpay a bit.

According to NHLnumbers, Pittsburgh is currently spending $55.9 mil for next season and needs at least one forward and one D-man, plus probably an extra of each. So, they need 4 players and can spend just under $1 mil average for them. Unless they make a trade, their cap situation is looking pretty tight.

A-Train to NJ, Kovy to NJ next, both players have same agent...I am not really surprised that the Caps have done very little..GMGM pretty much told us he wouldn't make many moves. However team in the East are doing a great job to neutralize the Caps offense..

Still a few more guys who the Caps could pick up to make the team better... Not worried at all...

A-Train to NJ, Kovy to NJ next, both players have same agent...I am not really surprised that the Caps have done very little..GMGM pretty much told us he wouldn't make many moves. However team in the East are doing a great job to neutralize the Caps offense..

Still a few more guys who the Caps could pick up to make the team better... Not worried at all...

Devils, Penguins, Flyers ... all better than the Caps. George McPhee, you are an utter disgrace! It's a joke that we have to watch you lead this organization.

Posted by: underpants2 | July 1, 2010 4:21 PM | Report abuse

In what way does grossly overpaying for defenseman make you better then the capitals? We have a hell of a team as it is, just calm down. We suffered through years of the rebuild why screw ourselves now?

In what way does grossly overpaying for defenseman make you better then the capitals? We have a hell of a team as it is, just calm down. We suffered through years of the rebuild why screw ourselves now?

In what way does grossly overpaying for defenseman make you better then the capitals? We have a hell of a team as it is, just calm down. We suffered through years of the rebuild why screw ourselves now?

GMGM..if you were my friend on facebook I would remove you. Seriously dude, something today. At this point I'd be ok if the Caps signed a new stickboy. My expectations for today were so high and now I think most of us are severally disappointed.

What do you all expect from GMGM, most of the players who have signed we could not afford... Wait until March 2011 when the trade deadline his hear, that way be can figure out what we need... Again I think GMGM is doing what he can with the cap space we have...

Funny how you missed the part about Alzner and Bourque at the start of last season. Why should GMGM put himself into that bind again?

Posted by: underpants2 | July 1, 2010 4:07 PM

@underpants2:

FWIW, the stuation is very different now than it was then.

--Jurcina and Clark were still on the roster with what some have said were over-valued contracts.
--The wretched Nylander saga was still far from being resolved.
--BMo had just been signed.
--We still had Pothier's contract on the books.
--We were entering the second half of Theo's $4.5M/yr. deal.

With the additional cap room that the resolution of the above issues brings, I see no financial reason why we could not keep both Bourque and Alzner.

I'm not saying it's a good move or a bad move...just that there is more room for it now than there was at this time last year.

I can only hope this is GMGM last year with the CAPS. The rebuild is over which many of us hung around during its time to take this club to the next level. I understand about the cap and did not want to sign a d for 5+m but we do need some improvement

6 years for A-Train? Yeah, that's risky. He'll be 34 by the end of that, and he already misses a lot of time. With his style, who knows whether he'll be any good in 2-3 years? I'm guessing that's somewhere in the $32-34 mil range, too.

Sometimes in order to win the Cup or get close (see Flyers and Blackhawks) you have to take risks and this organization just doesn't seem to grasp that concept! Yes the defenseman signed today may have been overpaid, but atleast they were signed by teams that are trying to make an effort to win the Cup! Ted and George are always talking about being good for a long time, but being good for a long time doesn't mean that you will ever win the Cup. Take a risk for once!

Posted by: CapsNut
CapsNut, get your head out of McPhee's a$$. Can you really not see all the teams we are fighting with to win the east are getting better? Much better. The conference is passing us by.

Get a clue. You can sign guys for long term, and use the salary cap as a tool to do so.

Mark Eaton was a hack when he played for the Preds. He was an offensive dman who couldn't generate much offense. He can't hit, he can't clear the crease but suddenly he's a defensive dman because he failed at the offensive end of things? good lord.

Huh, I gotta say I agree with being prudent and all, but Volchankov for 4.25 when we have 4.5 mill in hand and a million plus to be had by letting a guy like Erskin, who would be completely expendable by a volchankov deal, ride the pine in Hershey seems like it would have been the right deal. We'll just have to wait and see if McPhee has anything up his sleeve I guess....

You said your expectations were high today. Why? The Caps said they weren't going to make any big moves.

I'm not flaming, I'm serious. There are many people here today who are mad that they didn't do anything, even though they said they wouldn't do much, if at all. I don't understand the misplaced expectations.

So the available players left who seem like they could be possible Caps are Lombardi, John Madden, and Mitchell. Unless I missed a signing somewhere.

Does anybody know how long Volchenkov signed for?

The biggest problems with a lot of these free agent contracts is the length of them. Giving Volchenkov, a guy with his style of play, a 6 year contract is dangerous. Not saying right or wrong, but it is a risk.

The biggest problems with a lot of these free agent contracts is the length of them. Giving Volchenkov, a guy with his style of play, a 6 year contract is dangerous. Not saying right or wrong, but it is a risk.

Atlanta just became the newest fun team to watch in the SE. Bfuglien, Eager, Ladd, Kane. They should reinvent the old patrick division and let Atlanta play there instead of the Caps. Seems like a LOT of teams are trying to add muscle to their lineup. Devils get more physical on the back end. Toronto and Atl continue their rebuild with big aggressive players. Rags and Flyers of course.

And the Pens get better and younger on the back end. I'm not a fan of the Hamhuis contract though.

Is Mitchell still around?

and did ATl just offer a pick and a prospect for Ladd? that sounds reasonable. Did McPhee think Chi would trade Ladd for a bag of pucks?

I don't why people are freaking out about not signing one of the expensive defensemen. If I have to spend $4 mil, I would rather get a legit second line center to play with Semin than anything else. I have no problem with how GMGM is showing restraint on the big names.

The biggest problems with a lot of these free agent contracts is the length of them. Giving Volchenkov, a guy with his style of play, a 6 year contract is dangerous. Not saying right or wrong, but it is a risk.

Posted by: sgm3 | July 1, 2010 4:41 PM | Report abuse

I think it's safe to say that Lou Lamoriello has proven over the years that he know's what he's doing... they didn't just put him in the HOF for nothing.

Why are people even mentioning the tenders? They are not that important. Teams do that so they can either get value in return or at least they have a negotiating strength by not making that plyaer into a UFA. Tendering those players did nothin to stop the Caps from signing people. Teams are allowed to go over the Cap by 10% in the offseason and the Caps could withdraw the tenders at any time.

``He just brings a different dimension,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told ESPN.com. ```We had Scott Stevens for years and we know what’sthat like and we like Volchenkov’s size an strength. We played enough against him over the years to know what he does.”

well, his 23 goals in over 500 NHL games suggests he's not a an offensive defensman now does it.
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heyDCSPortsTard -- just because a guy can't provide offense at the NHL level doesn't automatically make him a defensive defenseman. Mark Eaton's profile when he came out of Notre Dame had him tagged as an "offensive dman". Do you remember that? Prolly not. The Flyers needed him to provide offense for them and he couldn't come thru so they dumped him on the Predators who used him to replace an offensive dman on their team who had suffered an injury.

By your logic, a goal scorer who can't score goals is automatically a checker and a grinder.

re: Volchenkov. The $4.25M salary is very appealling, the six years is a little long, but the NMC is scary.

Posted by: tominsocal1 | July 1, 2010 4:48 PM | Report abuse

Okay if Volchenkov got a NMC then never mind. No way is it a good idea to give that style of player 6 years and not even have the option of waiving him. that one may come back to bite the Devils pretty hard.

there were 2nd line centers available TODAY!! the point is, the Caps didn't do ANYTHING! but as others have pointed out (like I did 2 weeks ago), the Caps basically said they weren't making any moves. Ted & GMGM really believe they have everyting they need. by the way, just because you think teams overpaid doesn't make that the case. as i pointed out earlier, teams paid what the market dictated.

I'd just like to point out that the Thrashers new GM, Dale Tallon familiar to anyone, just helped the Blackhawks win their first cup in over 30 years and now he's TAKING RISKS with all of the moves he's made this offseason.

Granted, he's got more money to play around with as the Kovy contract is long gone. But C'mon GMGM, get with it.

``He just brings a different dimension,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told ESPN.com. ```We had Scott Stevens for years and we know what’sthat like and we like Volchenkov’s size an strength. We played enough against him over the years to know what he does.”

Posted by: joek443 | July 1, 2010 4:50 PM | Report abuse

we only imitate certain teams and GMs when its convenient. For all of McPhee's ramblings about how he respected Lou L so much blah blah blah, the only component he's really taken from Lou is to try and build the team via the draft (like that's some highly original idea). In every other way, McPhee is diametrically opposite to Lou right down to the offense v defense philosophy.

After the Jagr and Nylander nightmares, it's pretty clear gmgm is never going to sign anybody he didn't draft to crazy long-term deals like Volchenkov's.

What I don't understand is the Devils scored 0, 1, 2, 5 and 1 goals against Philly in the playoffs. So they spend $24+M for a shot-blocking defenseman who's essentially useless in the offense department? I guess they think A-train's going to somehow cancel out Chris Pronger next year. :D

How do you think Flames fans feel so far today with Sutter brining back re-treads in Tanguay and Jokinen? It's like a hockey version of the Blues Brothers, "We're gettin' the band back together!" sheesh

Ever notice that the Caps never show up on the list of teams free agents put out that they would waive their NTCs for?
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yeah, but apparently according to PokerFace, this is one of the more attractive places to come to. Yeah, if you're an offensive dman who knows he'll strike it rich in this system without having to play any defense.

McPhee's strategy is simple and smart. First let people overpay for what's out there and then there's a squeeze and some people have to unload salary. That puts the bargaining power on his side. Not to mention that it's smart to let the dust settle now, play most of the season and then see who's left standing. That's when you know exactly what you need for the POs and bargains are available. Better a rental Dman in March than spending a ton and getting hooked into a longer term deal now.

Tallon did go to Fl after having a falling out with Chi. But he had a big part in putting together that Chi team as well. Which is why the Hawks being the classy org they finally turned into, is sending Tallon a Stanley Cup ring.

I don't know what you are standing by for. Go on vacation GMGM and ted aren't going to do a thing. I guess they consider Alzner the big rugged defenseman and Perrault the 2nd line center. See you in September Tarik!

paying what the market dictates is not always prudent. anyone out there that overpaid for a house a few years ago?

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so when another team who overpaid slightly wins a Cup or has a long postseason run, do we just point at them and laugh and say their season didn't count because they bought their way into success? The Yankess overpaid a lot of folks, you think their fans feel bad about it?

yeah, it is not Capt kirk, but that is the game we all play. who's to say all of the deals today will not pan out?? there is always hindsight, but as the old saying goes, "nothing risked, nothing gained."

I am a little confused as to why there are donks here talking negatively about "long term" deals. didnt't the Caps just sign Backstrom to a 10 year deal?? is that bad?? how about Ovie's contract??
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yah i'm confused too. Can someone explain? Why would giving a player in his prime a semi-long term contract be a bad thing?

I wonder how the Caps players feel knowing their GM doesn't do jack squat to bring in any outside help. They see other teams doing what it takes, being creative etc. And then the Caps squash all hopes every year heading into the offseason or any trading deadline by not being a major player for any big names (and i don't mean kovalchuk either).

re: Volchenkov. The $4.25M salary is very appealling, the six years is a little long, but the NMC is scary.
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To clarify, I've read that it's actually a NTC (No Trade Clause). They can't trade him but hypothetically they can always bury him in the minors if he starts sucking.

The NMC (No Move Clause) is the scary one. That's what Nylander had. That means you can't send him to the AHL unless he agrees to it.

some of you defeatists should really give up on the caps. i don't see ted and gmgm straying from their plan anytime soon.

Posted by: Capt_Kirk_in_AZ | July 1, 2010 5:20 PM

Some of us have been fans for dozens of years. Some of us had high hopes when a new owner came in promising a Stanley Cup. Some of us are simply baffled that over the last several years McPhee has passed on UFA's that could have helped the team. He has passed on trades that could have helped the team. If Leonsis is serious about delivering on his promise he'd better put McPhee on notice.

BTW... I coined McPhee as a 'dumpster diver' YEARS ago. More so for his deadline deals picking up has beens. Brian Bellows ring a bell to anyone?

This is the same bunch of knuckleheads that screamed the sky was falling when Chicago "stole" Huet from us... how'd that work out? Amazing how all these hockey savants have managed to avoid employment in the hockey business. Or in the case of more than a few have avoided employment all together.

Though not the bruiser some here would prefer, Kaberle is still available if GMGM can swing a deal with Burkie. His $4.25 mil salary is in the ballpark of the guys who signed as UFAs, but this is the last year of the deal, so no long term commitment.

If the Caps could have acquired Volchenkov for the same price the Devils gave then I will be disappointed that GMGM didn't step up and make that move. Even though it was 6 years, IMO, that was a risk worth taking.

I swear i love the caps,BUT I sooooo DO NOT like GMGM.Here it is 6 o'clock and all the guys that the caps could have got are all gone and still not even one move done by the caps.If you want to be a stanley cup contender you ot to get the pieces to make it work and i dont care what gmgm says,with what we got now is not whats gonna get us a cup.you need winners to win and gmgm has proven hes not a winner.now watch the pens or any other team that did make good moves go and win the cup.I dont know what its gonna take to get gmgm to open his eyes and see the caps dont have a cup team,i mean losing in the first round wasnt enough,this team can make me so mad sometimes.Why does it have to be so hard to be a caps fan???!!! GO CAPS (w/o gmgm)!!

Yes, another Prez trophy followed by an early April exit... who cares about Lord Stanley's Cup when you can win the Prez trophy, right??

a team to beat? seriously, are you on drugs??

Posted by: joek443 | July 1, 2010 6:00 PM

joke, it's called facts. I know you don't know much about them, so let me point a few out - the Caps have finished 1st and 2nd in the East the last 2 seasons, and there is no reason to think that will change.

I swear i love the caps,BUT I sooooo DO NOT like GMGM.Here it is 6 o'clock and all the guys that the caps could have got are all gone and still not even one move done by the caps.If you want to be a stanley cup contender you ot to get the pieces to make it work and i dont care what gmgm says,with what we got now is not whats gonna get us a cup.you need winners to win and gmgm has proven hes not a winner.now watch the pens or any other team that did make good moves go and win the cup.I dont know what its gonna take to get gmgm to open his eyes and see the caps dont have a cup team,i mean losing in the first round wasnt enough,this team can make me so mad sometimes.Why does it have to be so hard to be a caps fan???!!! GO CAPS (w/o gmgm)!!

Posted by: gratefuldid | July 1, 2010 6:04 PM |

The Caps only majorly need 1 piece, and that is 2nd line center. 2 possible candidates for that are gone - Koivu and Jokinen. The Caps could even be fine with the lineup they have, although I do think they will need a couple changes before the postseason. People here seem to be forgetting that players can be acquired during the season, so there's plenty of time to change up before the playoffs.

I kinda feel like it's almost time to go to bed on Christmas night and I still haven't been given any presents.

Posted by: tominsocal1 |

So tru,So so true! If the caps(gmgm) were santa,there would be ALOT of unhappy kids out there.And not just this time but most the time he is a scrooge! thats why you should never believe in santa (or gmgm)!

Leonsis says on his blog that the Caps already signed their "free agent" by signing Backstrom. Now that is brilliant. It prevents the team from deteriorating but does nothing to fill a need and improve. Sometimes Phat Ted's stupid spin is incredibly annoying..............

Conference isn't passing us by.... they're trying to catch up. Caps are still going to be the team to beat.

Posted by: timmyv38

IF and this is debatable, the SE is catching up come playoff time all of that will be for not. Look at all the upgrades made by the North East. The same division that has been eating our lunch in the playoffs for years. You don't just plan for your division, you plan for the playoffs.

I am seriously considering passing on the NHL Center Ice Package for the 1st time since it was made available (15 yrs ago?). The Caps get pushed around and beaten up while winning in the regular season. Then choke like, well, I can't think of anything that chokes as bad, in the playoffs.

Sorry for all the negative vibes. I am just fed up with GMGM. This team needed toughness and it was readily available. I was certain GMGM would go after Boogard after watching his players get pounded like tough meat needing tenderizing. They had the cap space and did nothing. If I were Matt Bradley I would seriously consider retiring before Shelley, Boogard, ends his career and alters his health status.

I think ESPN does a post FA grading by teams. Is Washington going to get an F- or a not present?

FLDave, Boogaard got so ridiculously overpaid that I doubt anyone competed. $1.65M/yr for a goon who hasn't scored in 4 seasons? He has gone over 200 games without a goal. Getting a player who can fight is one thing - wasting that much money on a goon like Boogaard is another.

lyle, one big difference - Pens needed more players, Caps didn't. Would have been nice to get Michalek, but not necessary.

Posted by: timmyv38 | July 1, 2010 6:24 PM | Report abuse

right the team that won the Cup just last year and made the Finals two straight years isn't standing pat and is doing everything it can do improve so they can win another Cup.

but your PERFECT Caps that have NO room for improvement according to you are just standing pat... the goal of the regular season is to make the playoffs which EVERYONE knows is when the real season starts.

but this team and people like you have the idiotic notion that the regular season is the more important of the two.. no wonder you love this team so much

Does anyone else find it odd that Kovalchuk hasn't been signed? He was touted as the biggest name in FA and yet, 6 hours later, not... a... peep!

Posted by: FrankM73 | July 1, 2010 5:56 PM

Well, if he's still looking for $s in the range that Atlanta was rumored to offer him, then many of his suitors may have to make trades to move out salary. So, it's more than likely that teams are in the process of orchestrating trades to create the necessary cap space.

right the team that won the Cup just last year and made the Finals two straight years isn't standing pat and is doing everything it can do improve so they can win another Cup.

but your PERFECT Caps that have NO room for improvement according to you are just standing pat... the goal of the regular season is to make the playoffs which EVERYONE knows is when the real season starts.

but this team and people like you have the idiotic notion that the regular season is the more important of the two.. no wonder you love this team so much

Posted by: joek443 | July 1, 2010 6:31 PM

joke, you should really try reading posts. First, I don't think the Caps can't improve - I said they don't need to get more players right now. In fact, I have suggested many ways they can improve. Second, the Pens needed to improve because they have lost a few of their players - I'm not shocked they went after defensemen, seeing how short they were there. Third, I have never said and do not believe the regular season is more important - but I'm not a moron like you who blows it off. I love the Caps because they are the team I have loved ever since I started watching hockey, and I have supported them through good times and bad. Maybe you should try supporting them for once.

Quick question for all the doom sayers accusing the team of not doing anything today: have any of you been in contact with McPhee, or sat in the Caps trade "warroom" and listened into trade/UFA discussions, or received texts from agents/players/other GMs?

What's that you say? "No"? Ahh, ok, just wanted to make sure, 'cause it sure seems like a lotta assumptions are being thrown around about what the Caps intended to do vs. what we end up seeing as the final result when something comes across the wire on TSN. For every guy that got signed today, you can bet your bippie that many teams were in on it before player/agent/player's wife said yay or nay to the proposed deals.

Yeah, it'd be nice to have that new used car, er, player in the driveway (sorry, not used, it's "pre-owned" these days), so I share in the disappointment. But, it'd be very interesting to hear after the fact how close the Caps did/didn't come to getting any of the various pieces on everyone's wish list. I know, we live in a results oriented world, but without knowing the actual effort involved in McPhee's perceived failures today, it's very hard to make an unbiased judgement about today's happenings.

It's likely the Capitals would have liked to (or be required to) move some salary to attempt to pull off signing most of the guys who we wish they would have brought in. Of course, it takes two teams to tango, and who says anyone either a) wants anyone the Caps were willing to part with, or b) wants to assist the Caps by allowing them to free up space? While it seems the hierarchy is siting on their hands, who's to say they haven't been making attempts only to be spurned or find out they are unable to pull the trigger anyway as the cost of bringing guys in went higher? Do we know that they weren't among the suitors for Hamhuis? There were apparently a lot of teams still trying to snag him even after the deal was first reported as done. Same for anyone else who landed elsewhere.

This is the same scenario that many teams are going through now/went through in the past/will go through in the future. It's actually a blessing that McPhee has over $4 million to work with now as opposed to being up against the cap like the team has been of late. Maneuvering room is valuable in the event having to fill a roster spot due to a mid-season injury. Guess many here have forgotten the albatross of Nylander's contract already.

Certainly not an apologist for the regime, just poiting out that while it's easy to criticize lack of deals, unless you have been privy to the negotiations and attempts, then the anger is a little misplaced. Too many details are unknown and will likely never be known.

Volchenkov is very good, but does have serious weaknesses that tend to get overlooked. He quite often goes out of the position he should be in so he can block a shot. Without being paired with a solid dman (like Phillips or Redden), he wouldn't look nearly as good. The only dman the Caps would really have to pair with him would be Schultz. It would have been nice to get Volchenkov, but maybe some of you should consider what is the obvious truth - GMGM and BB have built a strong team from a consistent loser. They do, in fact, know what they are doing.

I think Volchenkov would've solved a lot of problems. And I strongly disagree about who he could be paired with - I think playing with any one of Poti, Carlson, or maybe even Alzner [Orlov?!] he'd do great and you'd have a very solid d-pairing.